A primary school and local residents have failed in their efforts to prevent Dublin Simon Community from securing planning permission for a 70-bed recovery centre for homeless drug addicts and alcoholics at Usher’s Island in the inner city.

The principal and board of management of St Audoen’s National School along with local residents, including a petition signed by 267 people, were some of those to object to the plan.

Dublin Simon already operates a specialist medical residential treatment and recovery centre at the site, including a 39-bed unit. The plan represents a significant expansion of services.

RPS, consultants for Dublin Simon, told the city council that the plan allows for the provision of an increased number of recovery beds “enabling clients to further stabilise and enhance their ongoing recovery”.